In Eliphaz’s reply to Job’s outcry of pain and comfort, he repeatedly threatened him with death, if he didn’t repent of his sins (Job 4:9, 20-21; 5:2). However, Job responds with: how can death be punishment, when it is his utmost desire (cp. Job 6:8-10)? How could Job find comfort in what Eliphaz calls his punishment for lack of repentance, if, indeed, God would kill Job for an unrepentant heart? The fact is, Job tells Eliphaz that his argument makes no sense; it is tasteless (Job 6:6). Therefore, he rejects his advice out of hand (Job 6:7). In reality, Job would embrace death no matter what pain it brought (Job 6:10), because he knew, when it finally arrived, he would have rest! As far as unrepentance is concerned, Job tells his friends that he hasn’t ever denied the words of the Lord (Job 6:10)! Therefore, he would go to his grave in confidence, not as a fool who had no hope (cp. Job 13:16; 27:8).
Eliphaz held out the reward of long life, if only Job would repent (Job 5:18-27), but Job countered with: what sort of reward could long life offer for him (Job 6:11)? He had lost all of his children, and his wealth was seized and taken away by violent men. Therefore, he could no longer support himself, let alone be of service to others. He had lost his position among the great men of the city, and who would ever listen to the counsel of a destitute, perhaps homeless man? His reputation was gone, for even they, his own friends, have reckoned him a fool or a wicked man, who has come under the judgment of God. Who would ever believe what he had to say about the Lord, now? So, what does long life have to offer him. Rather, and especially since his health had deteriorated and his pain had become so unbearable, death seemed to be an all too welcome solution for all of Job’s troubles (Job 6:8-9). So, Job terms Eliphaz’s advice tasteless. It lacks the flavor that would invite Job to yearn for the sustenance his friend believes he is offering (cp. Job 6:6-7).
It seems that Job’s friends have absolutely no concept of Job’s dilemma. Eliphaz wants Job to hold on and hope for long life. Yet, Job tells his friend that he (Job) truly understands his own condition, and he asks his friend: “…is his flesh brass that the pain of his condition doesn’t register? …or, does Job have the strength of a rock that he could endure such pain without complaint” (Job 6:12)? Paraphrasing: “Don’t you see what has happened to me? I had expected pity and comfort from my friends, but you haven’t even considered the depth of the predicament that has overtaken me.”
Finally, Job ends this part of his reply to Eliphaz with: “Is not my power to help myself nothing, and has not every resource been driven from me?” (Job 6:13; NET). In other words, Job says that he has no inner strength to continue. His constant pain has sapped all of his power to endure and has taken away his will to go on. Therefore, he welcomes death, and wants God to release him from the terrors of his present condition. Job doesn’t believe his body has the resources to recuperate from what has befallen him. That is to say, Job doesn’t hold out any hope of recovering. Everything points to his ultimate demise; hence his question is reverberated throughout the centuries by folks who suffer: “Why must I go on suffering for no apparent reason? Why doesn’t God simply take me?” Instead of it being a threat, death is a friend.
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